LaMichael James made a nice gain in the fourth quarter. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Miami Dolphins 27-13 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif. Sunday December 9, 2012.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

LaMichael James made a nice gain in the fourth quarter. The San...

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Colin Kaepernick took off on his 50 yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Miami Dolphins 27-13 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif. Sunday December 9, 2012.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

Colin Kaepernick took off on his 50 yard touchdown run in the...

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Colin Kaepernick was congratulated by the Dolphins Cameron Wake at the end of the game. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Miami Dolphins 27-13 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif. Sunday December 9, 2012.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

Colin Kaepernick was congratulated by the Dolphins Cameron Wake at...

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Frank Gore's bid for a touchdown is a bit of a reach - he comes up just short, but Anthony Dixon scored on the next play.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Frank Gore's bid for a touchdown is a bit of a reach - he comes up...

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C.J. Spillman reacted to his fumble recovery in the third quarter. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Miami Dolphins 27-13 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif. Sunday December 9, 2012.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

C.J. Spillman reacted to his fumble recovery in the third quarter....

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Special-teams wiz C.J. Spillman jumps on Marcus Thigpen's muffed punt early in the third quarter to set up the 49ers' first touchdown.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Special-teams wiz C.J. Spillman jumps on Marcus Thigpen's muffed...

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Linebacker Aldon Smith (99) before the the San Francisco 49ers game against the Miami Dolphins at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 9, 2012.

Photo: Sean Culligan, Special To The Chronicle

Linebacker Aldon Smith (99) before the the San Francisco 49ers game...

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Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Jonathan Martin (71)pushes Linebacker Aldon Smith (99) following a play in the third quarter of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Miami Dolphins at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 9, 2012.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Jonathan Martin (71)pushes...

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Ryan Tannehill was pursued by 99 Aldon Smith in the last minutes. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Miami Dolphins 27-13 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif. Sunday December 9, 2012.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

Ryan Tannehill was pursued by 99 Aldon Smith in the last minutes....

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San Francisco 49ers' running back Frank Gore (21) carries the ball during a NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 9, 2012. The 49ers defeated the Dolphins 27-13.

Photo: Stephen Lam, Special To The Chronicle

San Francisco 49ers' running back Frank Gore (21) carries the ball...

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Colin Kaepernick's 50-yard TD run was a far cry from the previous Sunday's disastrous pitch, and so he celebrates.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

Colin Kaepernick's 50-yard TD run was a far cry from the previous...

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A tight game in the third quarter brings out the usual intensity in head coach Jim Harbaugh and his staff.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

A tight game in the third quarter brings out the usual intensity in...

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Quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) runs downfield in the third quarter of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Miami Dolphins at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 9, 2012.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) runs downfield in the third...

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Quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) scrambles in the third quarter for a short gain before being pushed out of bounds in the third quarter of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Miami Dolphins at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 9, 2012.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) scrambles in the third quarter for...

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Cornerback Chris Culliver (29) celebrates after breaking up a pass intended for wide receiver Brian Hartline (82)in the third quarter of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Miami Dolphins at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 9, 2012.

Photo: Stephen Lam, Special To The Chronicle

Cornerback Chris Culliver (29) celebrates after breaking up a pass...

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Jordin Sparks entertained a group of cheer leaders from around the Bay Area during halftime. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Miami Dolphins 27-13 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif. Sunday December 9, 2012.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

Jordin Sparks entertained a group of cheer leaders from around the...

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49ers Gold Rush cheerleaders during the San Francisco 49ers game against the Miami Dolphins at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 9, 2012.

Photo: Stephen Lam, Special To The Chronicle

49ers Gold Rush cheerleaders during the San Francisco 49ers game...

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Linebacker Tavares Gooden (56) celebrates after breaking up a Dolphins pass in the second half of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Miami Dolphins at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 9, 2012.

Photo: Stephen Lam, Special To The Chronicle

Linebacker Tavares Gooden (56) celebrates after breaking up a...

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Kicker David Akers (2) kicks a field goal in the second half of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Miami Dolphins at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 9, 2012.

Photo: Stephen Lam, Special To The Chronicle

Kicker David Akers (2) kicks a field goal in the second half of the...

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Linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53 takes down Miami fullback Charles Clay (42) in the second quarter of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Miami Dolphins at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 9, 2012.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53 takes down Miami fullback Charles...

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Following a field goal, dolphins Marcus Thigpen escapes a tackle by Running back Anthony Dixon (24) in the second quarter of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Miami Dolphins at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 9, 2012.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Following a field goal, dolphins Marcus Thigpen escapes a tackle by...

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Kicker David Akers (2) in the first half of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Miami Dolphins at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 9, 2012.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Kicker David Akers (2) in the first half of the San Francisco 49ers...

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Running back Anthony Dixon (24) in the third quarter of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Miami Dolphins at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 9, 2012.

Photo: Sean Culligan, Special To The Chronicle

Running back Anthony Dixon (24) in the third quarter of the San...

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Miami cornerback Nolan Carroll (28) tries to stop 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) during the first half of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Miami Dolphins at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 9, 2012.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Miami cornerback Nolan Carroll (28) tries to stop 49ers wide...

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Miami quaterback Ryan Tannehill (17) looks to throw away before Defensive tackle Justin Smith (94) reaches him in the second quarter of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Miami Dolphins at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 9, 2012.

Photo: Sean Culligan, Special To The Chronicle

Miami quaterback Ryan Tannehill (17) looks to throw away before...

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San Francisco Giants baseball player Sergio Romo at the San Francisco 49ers game against the Miami Dolphins at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 9, 2012.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

San Francisco Giants baseball player Sergio Romo at the San...

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Running back LaMichael James (23) is down during the first quarter of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Miami Dolphins at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 9, 2012.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Running back LaMichael James (23) is down during the first quarter...

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Running back Frank Gore (21) runs for a first down during the first quarter of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Miami Dolphins at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 9, 2012.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

Running back Frank Gore (21) runs for a first down during the...

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Cornerback Chris Culliver (29) celebrates after breaking up a pass intended for wide receiver Brian Hartline (82)in the third quarter of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Miami Dolphins at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 9, 2012.

Photo: Stephen Lam, Special To The Chronicle

Cornerback Chris Culliver (29) celebrates after breaking up a pass...

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Linebacker Tavares Gooden (56) celebrates after breaking up a Dolphins pass in the second half of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Miami Dolphins at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 9, 2012.

Photo: Stephen Lam, Special To The Chronicle

Linebacker Tavares Gooden (56) celebrates after breaking up a...

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Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Jonathan Martin (71)pushes Linebacker Aldon Smith (99) following a play in the third quarter of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Miami Dolphins at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 9, 2012.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Jonathan Martin (71)pushes...

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Safety C.J. Spillman (27) recovers a muffed punt in the third quarter of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Miami Dolphins at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday December 9, 2012.

A week after a read-option call went horribly awry in an overtime loss to the Rams, the 49ers used a tamer version of the play to seal a 27-13 win over the Dolphins on Sunday at Candlestick Park.

Clinging to a seven-point lead with less than three minutes left, quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a shotgun snap from the pistol formation, faked a handoff to running back Frank Gore and dashed, untouched, 50 yards around left end for a that-will-do-it touchdown.

The previous Sunday, Kaepernick's airmailed read-option pitch resulted in a St. Louis touchdown and a barrage of criticism for offensive coordinator Greg Roman. That mistake hardly deterred San Francisco on Sunday. With the game in the balance, Roman called a series of read options.

"It was a totally different play, but a similar concept," left tackle Joe Staley said. "We actually ran that play three times in a row. The final one, we stuck with it, we got the right look. We got what we needed, and Kaep took it to the house."

Asked about the play, head coach Jim Harbaugh began by praising his scrutinized assistant: "Yeah," he said, "great call by Greg."

Kaepernick's dash provided a bit of flash, but the grind-it-out victory had all the elements of a San Francisco win circa 2011 under the direction of supplanted quarterback Alex Smith.

The defense limited to Miami to 227 yards, special-teams ace C.J. Spillman recovered a muffed punt that led to a 9-yard touchdown "drive," and Kaepernick was coolly efficient. In his fourth career start, he completed 78 percent of his passes (18-for-23) for 185 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. He was sacked four times and completed only one pass of more than 20 yards.

Sound familiar?

So does this: "I thought he managed the game well," Harbaugh said.

With the 49ers leading 13-6 late in the third quarter, it was actually Gore who highlighted their most impressive drive, a 13-play, 83-yard march capped by Anthony Dixon's 1-yard run with 14:30 left in the game. Dixon's plunge was preceded by Gore's 19-yard run up the middle on the first play of the fourth quarter.

Earlier in the drive, on 2nd-and-20 at San Francisco's 43, Gore caught a short pass in the left flat and began zig-zagging through defenders en route to a 19-yard gain that featured five broken tackles. After he was finally brought down, several 49ers were jumping exuberantly on the sideline and right guard Alex Boone was apologizing for being the man to finally flatten Gore.

After the game, Gore, smiling, said Boone also put him on the ground against the Seahawks and Vikings.

"Frank can break any tackle," Staley said, "but he can't break a tackle by Boone."

After a San Francisco three-and-out, the Dolphins regained possession and quickly had a first down at the 49ers' 35-yard line. Against a 5-7 team, memories of the 16-13 overtime loss in St. Louis were unearthed for the 49ers.

"It doesn't matter who we play," safety Donte Whitner said. "We're getting everybody's best effort each and every Sunday, and they use us to measure themselves. St. Louis did the same thing."

On Sunday, though, the defense stiffened with Miami driving for the potential game-tying score. Tannehill threw four straight incompletions from San Francisco's 35. The 49ers gained possession on downs, and moments later came Kaepernick's game-sealing touchdown, which began with a fake to Gore.

"Kaep made a big play," Gore said. "He read it real good. Everyone came to me, and Mr. Everything did his thing."

Actually, on Sunday, Kaepernick didn't do it all, but he did enough to win.

Sound familiar?

QB's run TDs

Colin Kaepernick's 50-yard touchdown run sealed the 49ers' 27-13 win over Miami on Sunday. It was his fifth running TD of the season. That quintet: